Background
Escherichia coli was first discovered in 1885 by Theodor Escherich, a German bacteriologist. Escherichia coli; (commonly abbreviated E. coli) is a rod-shaped, gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterium of the genus Escherichia. E. coli is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm blooded organisms. E. coli can also be found in the environment and in foods. Most E. coli are harmless and actually are an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract. E. Coli is pathogen and It can cause illness. E.coli is contagious and can spread from person by fecal contamination. You maybe exposed to E.coli from contaminated water or food, especially raw vegetables and undercooked ground beef. Healthy adults usually recover from this infection within a week, but E.coli can be life threatening for young children and the elderly.
Role of disease
E.coli infecction typically begins three to four days after exposure to the bacteria. Some of the signs and symptoms include: diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea and vomiting. The person may have a fever. Most people affected resolve the infection without antibiotics in about five to ten days. For most people treatment includes rest and fluids to prevent dehydration. Children under the age of five and the elderly develop more severe symtoms and usually require hospitalization and aggressive treatment. Severe cases of E.coli can lead to dehydration, bloody stools and even kidney failure. You can get E.coli infection by eating contaminated foods with the bacteria. Swallowing contaminated water and personal contact. If an infected person does don't wash his/her hands thoroughly they can spread the infection.
No vaccine or medication can protect you from E.coli based illness however, to prevent E. coli bacteria infections: Wash hands thoroughly before using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before and after food preparation. Cook meat thoroughly. Avoid raw milk, unpasteurized diary products. Avoid swallowing water while swimming. Prevent cross contamination in food preparation.
Cell structure
E.coli is a gram-negative rod-shaped anaerobic bacteria. E.coli possesses adhesive fimbriae and a cell wall that consists of an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides, a periplasmic space with a peptidoglycan layer and a inner cytoplasmic membrane.
References
1. impressive magazine.com ( picture of E.coli ) by Bay City News November 12, 1013
2. Microbiology An Introduction 11th Edition Tortora, Funke, Case
3. www.mayoclinic.org
4. www.cdc.gov/ecoli/
5.science.howstuffworks.com ( picture of cell )
Getting Started
Click on the edit button above to put your own content on this page.
To invite new members, click on Settings and Invite People.
To change your wiki's colors or theme, click on Settings and Look and Feel.
To set who can view and edit your wiki, click on Settings and Permissions.
Need Help?
Click on the help link above to learn more about how to use your wiki.
Escherichia coli
Scientitific Classification
Background
Escherichia coli was first discovered in 1885 by Theodor Escherich, a German bacteriologist. Escherichia coli; (commonly abbreviated E. coli) is a rod-shaped, gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterium of the genus Escherichia. E. coli is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm blooded organisms. E. coli can also be found in the environment and in foods. Most E. coli are harmless and actually are an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract. E. Coli is pathogen and It can cause illness. E.coli is contagious and can spread from person by fecal contamination. You maybe exposed to E.coli from contaminated water or food, especially raw vegetables and undercooked ground beef. Healthy adults usually recover from this infection within a week, but E.coli can be life threatening for young children and the elderly.
Role of disease
E.coli infecction typically begins three to four days after exposure to the bacteria. Some of the signs and symptoms include: diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea and vomiting. The person may have a fever. Most people affected resolve the infection without antibiotics in about five to ten days. For most people treatment includes rest and fluids to prevent dehydration. Children under the age of five and the elderly develop more severe symtoms and usually require hospitalization and aggressive treatment. Severe cases of E.coli can lead to dehydration, bloody stools and even kidney failure. You can get E.coli infection by eating contaminated foods with the bacteria. Swallowing contaminated water and personal contact. If an infected person does don't wash his/her hands thoroughly they can spread the infection.
No vaccine or medication can protect you from E.coli based illness however, to prevent E. coli bacteria infections: Wash hands thoroughly before using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before and after food preparation. Cook meat thoroughly. Avoid raw milk, unpasteurized diary products. Avoid swallowing water while swimming. Prevent cross contamination in food preparation.
Cell structure
E.coli is a gram-negative rod-shaped anaerobic bacteria. E.coli possesses adhesive fimbriae and a cell wall that consists of an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides, a periplasmic space with a peptidoglycan layer and a inner cytoplasmic membrane.
References
1. impressive magazine.com ( picture of E.coli ) by Bay City News November 12, 1013
2. Microbiology An Introduction 11th Edition Tortora, Funke, Case
3. www.mayoclinic.org
4. www.cdc.gov/ecoli/
5.science.howstuffworks.com ( picture of cell )
Getting Started
Need Help?